How hot can fluorescent light fixtures get?

How hot can fluorescent light fixtures get?

• A. Up to 1000 degrees
• B. Up to 500 degrees
• C. Up to 1500 degrees
• D. Up to 2000 degrees

Answer: (C)

In a fire, a fluorescent light fixture can reach extremely high temperatures because heat from the burning surroundings conducts into the fixture and the ballast, plus the enclosure can trap heat. The ballast and metal housing dissipate and conduct heat poorly when enclosed, so as the fire heats the area, the temperature inside and around the fixture can climb to around 1500°F. This high heat is why inspectors consider the potential for ignition of nearby combustibles and why certain fixtures are evaluated for their heat exposure in fire scenarios. The other options underestimate the heat exposure, while 2000°F is less typical in many building fires.

In a fire, a fluorescent light fixture can reach extremely high temperatures because heat from the burning surroundings conducts into the fixture and the ballast, plus the enclosure can trap heat. The ballast and metal housing dissipate and conduct heat poorly when enclosed, so as the fire heats the area, the temperature inside and around the fixture can climb to around 1500°F. This high heat is why inspectors consider the potential for ignition of nearby combustibles and why certain fixtures are evaluated for their heat exposure in fire scenarios. The other options underestimate the heat exposure, while 2000°F is less typical in many building fires.